Doris "Allene" Stevens

Doris "Allene" Stevens, 95, lifelong Nowata resident, passed away Saturday, January 1, 2022.

Allene was born June 10, 1926 in Coody's Bluff, Nowata County,Oklahoma to Richard R. Briggs and Kate V. "Dollie" (Rodecape) Briggs.

She grew up in Coody's Bluff where her parents operated the R.R. Briggs Grocery store. She loved telling old family stories about her grandfather's Civil War encounter with Quantrill, and the flamboyant Gypsies who visited the store.

After graduating from Nowata High School in 1945, she went to work at Kirk's jewelry store until April 22, 1947, when she married Bill D. Stevens in Independence, Kansas. They made their home in Nowata.

Allene always had a smile on her face, and a kind word for everyone. She liked antiquing, reading, and traveling, but mostly she enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Throughout her life she belonged to PTA, Youth Guiders, Focas, La Kee Kon, and also volunteered at the Nowata County Historical Society where she was a lifetime member.

Allene was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents, siblings June Myers, Elma Driskill, Howard Briggs, and Eldon Briggs, a niece Janet (Briggs) Fuller, and a brother-in-law Paul Stevens.

She is survived by two children; Judy and Fred Gerken of Liberty, MO, and Jerry and Pam Stevens of Nowata; grandchildren Eric Gerken, Carissa Stevens, and Melissa Stevens; nephews John Myers, Jim Myers, Richard Briggs, and Jake Myers; nieces Charlotte (Driskill) and Glen Yirsa, Shari (Briggs) Sherrick, and Marlene (Briggs) Swigart.

Visitation will be at the Nowata Benjamin Funeral Home from 4 to 6 pm on Thursday, January 6. Graveside service will be at 2 pm Friday, January 7, in Nowata Memorial Cemetery.